Agamemnon and Oedipus: Greek Tragedies

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Questions and Answers

How does Agamemnon die?

Clytemnestra throws a net over him while Agamemnon is in the bath and hacks him to death with an axe.

How does Agamemnon return from the Trojan War?

With a lot of loot and the Trojan princess Cassandra as his slave in tow.

Who is Electra?

Daughter of late King Agamemnon, married off to a poor peasant.

Who is Orestes?

Brother of Electra and son of Agamemnon. Signup and view all the answers

How does the oracle at Delphi affect Orestes?

The oracle instructed him to avenge the murder of his father. Signup and view all the answers

How does Orestes manage to get into his mother's palace?

Orestes and his friend Pylades claimed to bear a message that Orestes was dead. Signup and view all the answers

How does Orestes' death differ from that of others in the House of Atreus?

The cause of Orestes' death isn't really explained; however, he died un-cursed since he ended the curse on the House of Atreus by pleading his case to Athena. Signup and view all the answers

What are the important circumstances surrounding the birth of Oedipus?

He was left for dead on a mountain to avoid the oracle's warning/prediction. Signup and view all the answers

How does Oedipus become King of Thebes?

He solves the Sphinx's riddle and saves the Thebans. Signup and view all the answers

What instruction does Apollo give to rid Thebes of a plague?

To find whoever murdered King Laius and they must be punished. Signup and view all the answers

What does Oedipus do when he learns the truth of his past?

He ran to find his wife, Jocasta. Signup and view all the answers

What does Jocasta do when Oedipus learns the truth of his past?

She killed herself, then Oedipus blinds himself. Signup and view all the answers

After Oedipus leaves the throne, who becomes king? What happens to Oedipus?

Creon becomes king; Oedipus is eventually expelled from the city. Signup and view all the answers

What declaration does Creon make after the battle for control of Thebes?

He proclaimed that anyone who fought against the city should not be given burial. Signup and view all the answers

How does the House of Thebes come to an end?

It ended with Eradne and Capaneus conquering Thebes. Signup and view all the answers

What does the contest between Athena and Poseidon indicate about the Greek people?

Greeks were intelligent and made wise decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What common practice does the story of Philomela and Procne illustrate?

The patriarchal social structure of Greece. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Creüsa?

Daughter of King Creon of Corinth, Greece. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Jason marry after he divorced Medea?

Creüsa. Signup and view all the answers

How did Medea get revenge?

She gave Creüsa a cursed dress which caused it to stick to her body and burn her to death. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Agamemnon and Orestes

Agamemnon is killed by Clytemnestra, who uses a net to trap him in the bath and axes him to death.
Upon returning from the Trojan War, Agamemnon brings back considerable loot and the captive Trojan princess, Cassandra.
Electra, daughter of Agamemnon, is married off to a poor peasant.
Orestes, son of Agamemnon and brother to Electra, is a significant figure in this narrative.
The oracle at Delphi instructs Orestes to avenge his father's murder, driving the plot.
To enter his mother’s palace, Orestes pretends to bear news of his own death alongside his friend Pylades.
Orestes escapes the tragic fate of his family by ending the curse placed on the House of Atreus through his case to Athena.

Oedipus

Oedipus was abandoned on a mountain to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy concerning his future.
He becomes King of Thebes by solving the Sphinx's riddle, delivering the city from its threat.
Apollo commands the search for King Laius's murderer to lift a plague afflicting Thebes.
Upon discovering the truth of his origins, Oedipus rushes to find his wife, Jocasta.
Jocasta, upon learning the truth, takes her own life, leading Oedipus to blind himself in despair.
After Oedipus is expelled from Thebes, his brother-in-law Creon ascends to the throne.
Creon decrees that the dead soldiers who fought against Thebes will not receive burial.
The House of Thebes ultimately falls with its destruction caused by eradne and Capaneus.

Greek Mythology Themes

The contest between Athena and Poseidon, judged by Cecrops, reflects the intelligence and wisdom valued by Greek society.
The tale of Philomela and Procne exemplifies the patriarchal structure prevalent in ancient Greece.

Characters and Relationships

Creüsa is the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
Jason, after divorcing Medea, marries Creüsa.
Medea seeks revenge by gifting Creüsa a cursed dress that ignites and kills her tragically.

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Description

Explore the dark tales of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Orestes, and Oedipus in this quiz focused on Greek tragedies. Understand the themes of revenge, fate, and family curses that dominate these ancient narratives. Test your knowledge of these iconic characters and their tragic fates.